July 24, 2023 – The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music It’s Monday morning and I wake up and rollover. I’m dead tired. Kirsten has already walked to the bakery and returned with our breakfast bread. I hear her call from the kitchen, ok everyone get up we have another busy day and we need to be on the road to Salzburg by 9:30 am. I crawl and I mean crawl out of bed and make my way to the bathroom; I crawl in and out as fast as I can. Once I arrive in the kitchen, Kirsten, Caroline, and Bea are already eating and discussing today adventure to Salzburg. On our last day in Berchtesgaden, Kirsten planned to visit to Salzburg, you know where the movie Sound of Music was filmed. The Hills ... read more

July 22, 2023 – Exploring Berchtesgaden I wake up fresh and roll over, Kirsten is gone. Are you shocked she has already walked to the bakery and returned with breakfast bread. I’m thinking she might be an honorary member of the Elf community. They are still warm from the oven; I can smell them as I’m walking into the kitchen. Kirsten and Bea make us another perfect German breakfast. Bread, meats, cheeses, coffee, and cutup vegetables and most important soft-boiled eggs. A German breakfast isn’t complete without soft-boiled eggs. At breakfast, Kirsten reviews with us today’s agenda, broken down by the hour. Yea, when in Germany everything must be planned and scheduled to the last degree. Ja Vol! First, we are walking through the Klamm, WHAT’S a Klamm you ask? It’s a German gorge but BIGGER. ... read more

July 20, 2023 – Vondering the Fulda Gap We wake up our breakfast bread is waiting for us beside our door. I think the bakery elf’s deliver the breakfast each morning. Just saying.... After breakfast and everyone has showered and dressed were off to meet up with Eberhart and tour the areas around Fulda. First, we arrive at the Wasserkuppa mountain where the gliders take off. We walk the paths up to the top. It’s very windy, no wonder they fly the gliders here. Opa was stationed here in 56-58. Ask Kirsten, Bea or Mandy about his time in Germany, there are GREAT stories. This is the highest mountain in the area and there is a weather station on top. Caroline and I ride the Rodel bahn.... it’s like a sled on rails it fast and ... read more

July 18, 2023 – Time to say goodbye. We all wake up and have a wonderful breakfast with Swen, Eva, Mark, Savannah, Bea, Caroline, Kirsten, and me. Wow! what a table full of folks, it was great listening to all the German and English and Germglish being spoken. I just sat and smiled and nodded yes when I was asked a question. I have no idea what I agreed to. I probability sold my soul. That’s ok, its only when they come to collect that you need to worry. Around 10 am, we begin the goodbyes, hugs, and kisses. Mark and Savannah are off to visit Maria and James in Wangen. We’re heading to Fulda; Kirsten has a house rented just outside of Fulda. Big thanks to Eva and Swen!! They took all of us in ... read more

July 16, 2023 – Caroline Welcome to France It’s Sunday, everyone is sleeping in except Kirsten. I roll over, it’s quiet and dark, maybe no one is missing me. I close my eyes and drift off. Not for long, Kirsten is gently shaking me. Wake up sleepy head breakfast is ready, and you are late as usual. Ugh! I rollout of bed, dress and trip down the stairs. Everyone is at the table all awake and ready to go except me. Eva has prepared a fabulous breakfast. I chow down and was making my sneak away sandwich and Kirsten leans over and reminds me we don’t have to sneak around family. Oh Yea, I forgot. Breakfast is over and we are all outside and loaded into the cars. We’re off to Strasbourg, as in France. We ... read more